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The current living conditions of Congolese and Burundians living and working in Rwanda
Uwajeneza Donatha
Mar 14, 2025 - 08:46
Amid discussions about insecurity in the region and the tense relationships between countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundians and Congolese living and working in Rwanda say they are living well and coexist with Rwandans as brothers and sisters. This is in contrast to what they hear about the challenges faced by Rwandans living in those countries.
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There are often tensions in the relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as between Rwanda and Burundi, leading to insecurity for Rwandans living in these countries. It is even reported that Rwandans are sometimes mistreated simply for being Rwandan.
However, Congolese and Burundians living and working in Rwanda say they are living well, and they have not faced any hostility because they are not Rwandans.
One person from Congo said, "We come from Congo to seek work in Rwanda. Rwanda has already established its leadership and has organized its affairs well. Rwandan citizens do not harm foreign citizens. We are working well and face no problems."
Another person from Burundi said, "In Burundi, a Rwandan faces a lot of hardship and mistreatment. But here, no one bothers us, life is good."
Rwandans who work alongside foreign nationals, especially Burundians and Congolese, also say they coexist as brothers and sisters, and there are no issues between them because they come from different countries.
Rwandans who work with foreign nationals, particularly Burundians and Congolese, also say they live together as brothers and sisters and experience no issues, despite coming from different countries.
One person said, "The Congolese we work with here, we live a good life together. I don’t treat them differently from Rwandans. If they ask for a service, I provide it the same way I would for a Rwandan. We live well, which is different from what I hear about Rwandans living in Congo, or in Burundi, where being Rwandan seems to be a problem."
Another said, "When they come to Rwanda, we welcome them and treat them well. They don’t complain about anything. We wouldn’t say they are people from a different country. We welcome them as normal people, even though the countries don't always get along."
The tension between Rwanda and Congo is mainly fueled by the Congolese government’s accusations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda consistently denies. Additionally, Congo collaborates with the FDLR group, which was involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Congo has also expressed intentions to overthrow the current Rwandan government.
Author: Yassini Tuyishimire / translated by GAKUBA Felix Abduljabar
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